Dear Saint Simon Family,
The world looks dark. We aren’t able to come together for Mass and the sacraments, and many of us are asking, “What does it look like to live out our faith right now?” We’re wondering how we can live in solidarity as a community while we are isolated, and how we can be a church when we can’t come to Saint Simon to celebrate Mass.
In this season, we reflect on the history of the Church and take solace from the examples of those who first believed. The Apostles gathered in the upper room to pray, and throughout history, Catholics sustained their communities in their homes during countless seasons of persecution or hardship.
Now, more than ever, we must remember what our parish truly is — a community. We are, and always have been, connected beyond the four walls of our spaces, and we must remember that the four walls of our spaces are not the Church — we are the Church. Saint Simon is alive and strong in you.
Live in the Light
Start with Prayer
When we can’t rely on the buildings and structures of our parish, we are offered an opportunity to lean into our unity of faith as a body. Enlightened by Christ, by the many saints who have marked the way before us, we are invited to share this light with one another.
Let’s start this vigil together with a practical, simple first step of offering everything we do back to God. A great way to start is with a morning offering or daily Mass with Fr. Doug. Let’s reclaim these days ahead of us. Although we are being asked to physically distance ourselves from one another (by staying home), we have an opportunity now to spiritually unite each day as we claim our homes and our daily living for Christ.
Fr. Doug’s Action Items for the Week
You aren’t alone — you are a part of our parish. And you have the ability to be light for others and to lean into their support when you need it in return. Here are some simple ways you could reach out to others during this time of isolation:
1. In the next few days, we want to invite you to call a friend from our parish community. Ask them how they’re doing, how they are living during this time, and how they might need help. You should have received our parish directory in the mail last week. Let’s all be connected with each other in this time of need.
2. We also want to invite you to keep in touch with each other and with us on our social media channels: (Facebook page, Twitter and Youtube). Let us reach out boldly to others in our parish community with encouragement and hope.
3. Finally, if you would like to help Saint Simon specifically respond to this moment, here are a few ways you can get involved or help our local community:
Phone Calls for the Lonely: We continue to call people in our community. If you are lonely and would like a phone call or if you know someone who is interested please contact Kerry Schlimgen at 317.506.0929 or Ashley Hyre at ahyre@saintsimon.org or 317.519.6563. Online Giving: Thank you for your support of our parish’s many ministries. If not already, we would like to ask you to consider joining many of your fellow parishioners at Saint Simon in making your generous gifts through Faith Direct. To keep the work of our church going, we are currently depending on the incoming monies from those using eGiving. You can register online at https://membership.faithdirect.net/IN733
God Bless,
Fr. Doug